NEXT ROUND
Messi’s Argentina are through. They beat Poland 2-0, but they, too, are through, thanks to Mexico’s 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia
LIONEL Messi failed to convert a penalty in a landmark game for him but it didn’t matter as Argentina went on to beat Poland 2-0 and advance into the last 16 of the World Cup along with them from Group C amid plenty of drama on Wednesday.
Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved a spot kick for the second time after similar heroics in the previous game against Saudi Arabia when he saved in the 39th minute from Messi who had moved one ahead of Diego Maradona with a 22nd World Cup match for Argentina.
It was the biggest of several big saves from Szczesny in the first half before Alexis Mac Allister finally beat him less than a minute into the second half, and Julian Alvarez smashed the second in the
67th to see Argentina through.
The victory put Argentina top of Group C as they rebounded from an opening shock defeat against Saudi Arabia and now face Australia in the last 16 on Saturday, avoiding a meeting with France who beat them at that stage in 2018 en route to the title.
Instead, it will be Poland to face France on Sunday as they edged Mexico by one goal with both tied on four points as Mexico’s 2-1 against Saudi Arabia was not enough. Henry Martin in the 47th and Luis Chavez with a sensational free-kick five minutes later had Mexico within one goal of leapfrogging Poland but Salem Al-Dawsari’s injury time goal broke Mexican hearts. Poland had to wait for Mexico’s game against Saudi Arabia to finish before they could celebrate their progression. For much of the evening it was the Fair Play rules that were putting them into the last 16 but Saudi Arabia’s late goal gave them a superiod goal difference. Argentina will have the Aussies in the round of 16 after
Leo Messi fires blank but it didn’t matter
topping this group, with Poland facing a tough task against defending champions France. Feels harsh for the Socceroos after their dream progression, but they will probably relish the glamour tie.
A largely pro-Argentina crowd, waving flags and scarfs and beating drums behind both goals, had been sweeping Messi and
his team along at the 44,000-seat Stadium 974 and they didn’t stop after the penalty. Within seconds, a chant of “MESSI! MESSI!” immediately reverberated around the venue in a bid to keep their idol’s head high.
And the roars were even louder at the start of the second half, first after Mac Allister’s goal — a scruffy finish from Nahuel Molina’s cutback from the right — in the first minute and again after it became clear Mexico had taken the lead against Saudi Arabia.
Messi never stopped surging forward and he was a menace all game to Poland with his dribbling ability and vision.
He wasn’t involved in either goal, though. For the second, Enzo Fernandez scooped a pass to Alvarez — selected ahead of Lautaro Martinez — and he took one touch before curling his shot into the top corner in the 67th minute.
“We went out there thinking we had to win,” said Messi. “The game against Australia will be difficult -- anyone can beat anyone. It’s very even, we have to prepare for the game in the best way, as always.” “I’m angry at missing that penalty but the team came out stronger after my mistake,” he said. “We knew that once the first goal went in it would change the game.”
The final whistle blew with Poland players still unsure if they were advancing, given the Mexico-Saudi Arabia game was ongoing. A stoppage-time goal by the Saudis made it even harder for Mexico, sparking loud cheers by Poland’s team and the squirting of water from their bottles in the middle of the field.